thompson



(No Model.)

A. 1). ROBINSO PatentedzMan. 2.8.1882.

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UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

ALBERT D. ROBINSON AND HERBERTW. THOMPSON, OF CASCADE, MIGH.

FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 255,673, dated March 28, 18 52.

- Application filed February 4, 1882. No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT D. ROBINSON and HERBERT W. THOMPSON, citizens of the United States, residing at Cascade, in the county of Kent and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fences, of which the following is a specification.

()ur invention relates to that class of portable fences in which the fence is composed of sections adapted to be set up and connected together in order to form a continuous line of fence in any desired locality.

Our improvement is directed to means for locking the posts to the fence-sections in order to support the latter, and it is further directed to means for varying the angles between the post and its supporting-base, so that the post can be adjusted to a vertical position when it is arranged for supporting the fence upon a hillside.

In the drawings which illustrate our invention, Figure 1 represents a portion of the fence with the posts connected therewith by our improved locking devices. Fig. 2 repre sents one of the posts adjusted so as to beset up on the side of a hill, and Fig. 3 represents the post rigidly attached to its base.

Each section of the fence comprises a series of horizontal boards or rails, A, secured at their ends between the vertical battens B, and further braced by a batten, B, located at or about the center of the section. These sections arejoined together to form a line offence by inserting the tongues O of one section into the sockets formed between the battens at the end of the adjacent section. The fence-post D is connected at its lower end with a base, E, which consists of a stout plank or timber having at its ends the blocks or feet F, which not only raise the plank from the earth, so as to pre vent its rotting, but which also adapt it to be supported upon uneven ground. The postis connected to one of the sides of the base at a point about midway otits length,and it is braced by means of an inclined brace, G, which is connect- 7 ed with the post and with one end of the base E.

The device for locking the fence to this post consists of a latch, E, that is pivoted to the post and adapted to be swung down, so as to engage with one of the fence-rails, thereby holding the latter against an edge of the post. Prior to engaging this latch with a rail'it can be swung up in line with the post, as shown by dotted lines h, Fig. 2, in which position it will be maintained by means ota spring, I, that is secured at its lower end to the fence: post. When, however, the latch is swung down so as to engage the rail, its butt-end will clear the spring, so that when the latch has assumed a horizontal position the upper end of the spring will be under the butt-end of the latch, and thus prevent its hook end from being accidentally raised from its engagement with the rail.

A block, 6, is secured upon the base E alongside of one of the edges of the post, so that the lower rail of the fence can be fitted between the post and said block. This will hold the lower part of the fence steady, while thelatch will hold its upper part. In place of this block, a mortise could be formed in the base E for receiving the rail, although we prefer the block herein shown.

In order to adjust the post to a vertical position when its base E is placed upon the side of a hill, we pivot the lower end of the postin an inclined mortise, K, that is formed in one sideof said base. We also pivot the inclined brace at its lower end to the base E, and provide its upper end with a stud or pin, g, arranged to work in a slot, L,formed in the post. By this arrangement it will be seen that the post and brace can be turned on their respective pivots to the required extent, such movement of the same beinglimited by the inclined walls of the recess in which the post is pivoted. As the post is turned upon its pivot the brace will likewise turn upon its own pivot, and thestud or pin carried at the upper end post. In this Way the base E can be set on the side of a hill and the post can be adjusted in a vertical position. The post is cut away at c of the brace will work along the slot in the latter the brace could be arrested and secured at any desired point by engaging its stud or pin in the said line of notches.

In some instances the post might be rigidly attached to the base and the brace rigidly attached to the base and to the post; but we prefer the arrangement first described. The spring can be made of wood or metal, and the latch may also be of wood or metal, as preferred.

The above devices are cheap, simple, and at the same time strong and durable, and will be found especially adapted for fencing uneven or hilly land.

What we claim is-- 1. The fence-post provided with a pivoted latch for engaging the rail of a fence, and with a spring adapted to maintain the latch in its engagement with the fence-rail, substantially as described.

2. The fence-post pivoted to a base, E, and provided with meansfor connecting it with the fence, in combination with the inclined brace, pivoted at one end to the base and at its other end carrying a stud or pin Working in a slot in the post, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT D. ROBINSON. HERBERT W. THOMPSON. Witnesses:

ELIVIER R. THOMPSON, ALBERT SMITH. 

